Seal lock



' April 30, 1929. 5 AN 1,711,339

SEAL LOCK Filed Dec. 4, 1926 2' Sheets-Sheet 1 I INVENTOR. OWEN M BAA/G6.

BY j

AT TORNEY.

6. M. BANGS SEAL LOCK Filed Dec. 4, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 vii l'hm 'osz I INVENTOR. avg/v M BAA/65.

ATTORNEY.

Patented Apr. 33, 192%.

PATENT v oFF cE.

ownn M. mines, or BROOKLYN, new YORK.

SEAL LOCK.

Application filed December The invention relates to a device for sealing locks, particularly trunk locks of the swinging hasp type, although the invention is applicable also to other types of locks.

The principal object of the invention is to provide means whereby trunks, suitcases, or other baggage, may be protected against undetected and unauthorized opening. At

present, baggage may be opened at will by a clever thief having a master 'keyor possessed'of a few simple tools, and no trace of the theft remains. With my improved seal, such undetected tampering is rendered impossible. The invention'may be applied to baggage of all kinds, boxes, bags, cars and many other uses. I

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved means for fastening a lock to baggage or other articles, whereby its removal from the outside by means of a chisel or like tool is rendered impossible, or at least much more difficult thanat present.

By the combination of this securing means with the improved sealing device, undetected the-ft may be to a large extent, eliminated.

The invention will be more clearly understood by reference to the accompanying drawings in which are shown an illustrative embodiment of the invention, in which Fig. 1 is a front elevation showing a trunk lock of the swinging hasp type to whichthe' improved sealing device is applied.

Fig. 2 is a central longitudinal sectional view of the same. v I

Fig. 3 is a transverse section on line 3-3 of Fig; 1, showing the fastening means for the fixed plate ofth'e hasp lock.

Fig. 4 is a view, partly in longitudinal section and partly in elevation, showing the lock equipped'with the improved seal, preparatory to being closed.

Fig. 5 is a view partly in elevation and partly in section on line 5-5 of Fig. 2, sholwing the attachments to the ordinary loc r,

upon the movable member of the lock, which is shown within its keeper. v

Fig. 6 is a view on line 66 of Fig. 2 showing the disk upon which is mounted the seal.

Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 4-, but

showing the lock removed from its keeper after the seal has been broken;

Flgs. 8, 9 and 10 are views showing various forms of the seal.

freight seal 12 pass,

including a'pin, disk and seal assembled 4, 1926. Serial No. 152,598.

C of any desired type, which is provided with the usual cylindrical casing or look housing D, provided with bolts E, adapted to be operated by a key (not shown) inserted in the keyhole F. A keeper or sheljl G is secured to a portion H of the trunk, and is adapted toreceive the lock housing D of the swinging hasp member.

According to my invention, the outer face 10 of the swinging hasp member is provided with a pair of slits 11-11,-on opposite sides of and in alignment with the keyhole F, in order to permit the insertion of the ends of a seal 12. On the inner face 13 of the lock housing D is mounted a pin 14, permanently secured thereto, and provided with a bowed spring, 15, mounted onthe pin. Upon the outer end of the pin, a disk 16 is removably mounted, and over this disk the ends of the these ends being provided with holes 1717 which fit the pinlt and hold the seal in position. The seal is likewise provided with a boss 18, adapted to fit within the keyhole F. The spring 15 engaging the disk 16 serves to hold the seal taut, and prevents its removal from over the keyhole without breaking the seal. Each seal used is provided with a serial number for the purpose of identification. The seal may be of any desired material, preferably metal, although a strong paper seal may be used if desired. The seal having been assembled, as shown in Fig. 4, the lock is snapped into its keeper, the tumblers E engaging shoulders K of the keeper member in the usual manner as shown in Fig. 2. I

' Nithin the shell of the keeper G are provided a plurality of spring detents 19, shown as two in number, having cam faces 20 over which the edge of the disk 16 is forced by means of the bowed spring 15, the disk being then held in place by means of the V shoulders 21 of said. detents.

The lock being now in position, as shown in Fig. 2, it cannot be opened without breaking the seal 12 in order to give access to the key hole p Itwill be further noted that even though the bolts E should not function, the hasp would be held in latched position by the disk 16 and detents 19, and could not be opened without breaking the seal 12. Thus, if desired, the key and tumblers may be dis-- pensed with entirely, and only the improved sealing device employed, the invention being applicable in either case.

In order to release the lock, the seal is broken, and the key operated to release the bolts It. The lock member is now with drawn, as shown in Fig. 7, carrying with it the pin 14 and spring 15, but leaving the disk 16 within the shell or keeper. In order to release the disk it is merely rotated a short distance until notches 21 meet the detents 19, whereupon the disk is withdrawn and is replaced upon the pin 141: together with a new seal.

The sealing device renders it impossible to separate the lock from its keeper without detection. However, where the ordinary form of hasp lock is employed a thief may remove the keeper G and plate A by merely cutting the bolts or rivets by means of which they are attached to the trunk. These fastening devices are readily replaced, and detection of the theft delayed. Also, the hinge between the plate A. and hasp C is readily tampered with by merely driving out the usual hinge pin. In order to render undetected theft impossible, I have provided a special form of hinge, and a special fastening means for the keeper G and for the fixed plate A, these features combining with my improved seal to accomplish the main ol ject of my invention.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 3, the fixed plate A is formed of two parts 23, 24, each provided with a portion of the hinge, as 25, 26, and each having integral therewith a threaded stem 27-27 adapted to be passed through the trunk wall B, and fastened in place by means of a nut 28, the plates 23, 241, having an over-lapping lit as shown at 29. The meeting portions 29 are preferably beveled and overlaped, though any form of cut which will provide an overlapping of these portions will suffice, the purpose being to prevent the insertion of any instrument between the parts 232 1.

Upon the member C is formed a portion 30 of the hinge which is provided with a pin 31, which may be removable, if desired, and which extends beyond the portion 30 and into the ears 25, 26 of the plate members 23, 241. However, the ends of the members 25, 26 are closed, thereby preventing access to the pin 31, which is entirely out of view, and inaccessible. Likewise, the bolts 27, 27 are covered by the plates 28, 2 1- and cannot be cut.

In a like manner, the keeper G is provided with integral threaded stems 82 formed on plate 33 which surrounds the inner shell. When the stems 32 are passed through the trunk wall H and capped with nuts as shown in Fig. 5 they are entirely invisible from the outside, as well as inaccessible.

An article equipped with my improved seal and lock fastening means is rendered practically immune from undetected theft. The invention has been described in detail for the purpose of illustration, but it will be understood that various modifications may be employed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. The combination with a removable cylindrical lock member and a fixed keeper shell adapted to receive said lock member, of a pin extending inwardly from said lock memher when in assembled position, a movable plate mounted upon said pin, a seal passing around said lock member, and over said plate, its ends being attached to said pin, and a spring detent in said keeper member engaging said plate and serving to prevent the removal of said lock member without breaking said seal- 2. The combination with a cylindrical lock member adapted to be received in a keeper when in locked position, of a pin extending from a fiat face of said lock member, a disk removably mounted on said pin, a seal surrounding said lock member, passing over said disk and having its ends secured on said pin, and a spring reacting against said disk away. from the lock member and serving to hold the seal taut.

3. The combination with a cylindrical lock member adapted to be received in a keeper when in locked position, having the usual key operated bolts for engaging said keeper, and provided with a key hole in one face thereof, said face being slotted, of a pin ex tending from the opposite face of the lock member, a disk removably mounted upon said pin, a seal surrounding said lock member passing through slots in the outer face of the lock and over said disk, the ends of said seal engaging said pin, a boss on said seal for engaging the key hole, and spring operated means engaging said plate for holding the seal taut when in assembled position.

4. The combination with a removable cylindrical lock member, and a fixed keeper shell adapted to receive said lock member, of a plate movably relatively to said lock member, and having a plurality of notches therein, a seal passing around said lock and over said plate, a spring reacting against said plate and serving to hold the seal taut, and spring detents mounted in said keeper shell, and engaging said plate, the detents correspending in number to the notches in said plate, and removed slightly therefrom.

5. The combination with a lock member and its keeper, said lock member comprising a substantially cylindrical body member adapted to be engaged within said keeper when in latched position, and having a key hole on the outer face and on the inner face a pin, a spring surrounding said pin, a disk on said pin beyond said spring, a plurality of spring latch members on said keeper adapted to engage said disk when the lock is engaged in its keeper; of a seal secured to said cylindrical body member, passing over said key hole and said disk, and having its ends engaged with said pin.

6. The combination with a trunk lock of the swinging hasp type,and its keeper, of a means for sealing the lock in latched position, said means including a sealing strip secured to the swinging hasp member, the ends thereof being covered by said member when in latched position.

7. The combination with a hasp, lock and its keeper, said lock comprising a fixed portion adapted to be permanently secured, and a swinging portion adapted to be engaged in said keeper when in latched position, of means for sealing said swinging portion in latched position, said means including a sealing strip surrounding said swinging member, and having its ends covered thereby when in latched position.

8. The combination with a keeper and a look member adapted to be engaged therein in latched position, of means for sealing said lock in its keeper, said means including a sealing strip surrounding said lock member, the ends thereof being covered by said lock member and within the keeper, when the lock is in latched position.

9. The combination with a keeper and a lock member having a key hole, said look member being adapted to be engaged in said keeper in latched position, of means for sealing said lock in latched vposition, said means including a sealing strip surrounding said lock member, said strip having its ends covered by said lock member when in latched position, and having a 'boss for engaging said key hole.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

OWEN M. BANGS. 

